The Grid

A grid is a network of lines. It is a tool for generating form, arranging images, and organizing, information.

The grid can work quietly in the  background, or it can assert itself as an active element.

The grid becomes visible as objects come into alignment with it. Some designers use grids in a strict, absolute way, while others see them as a starting point in an evolving process.

In the design of printed matter, guidelines help the designer align elements in relation to each other. Consistent margins and columns create an underlying structure that
unifies a document and makes the layout process more efficient.

A well-made grid encouragesthe designer to vary the scale and placement of elements without relying wholly on arbitrary judgements.

The grid offers a rationale and a starting point for each composition, converting a blank area into a structured field.

– from Graphic Design, The New Basics